A New Indoor Air Scrubber Reduces Ammonia in Poultry Farms

Scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture have created a new prototype air scrubber for poultry farms. The device cleans indoor air inside bird housing and can reduce ammonia levels by 87% to 99%. Ammonia builds up from chicken litter and can harm both animals and humans. High levels of this gas slow bird growth, increase viral infection risks, and cause health hazards for farm workers. Additionally, lost ammonia carries away valuable nitrogen that could otherwise help grow crops.

Traditional methods like applying chemicals to litter only control ammonia for three to four weeks. Other air scrubbers exist, but they usually treat exhaust air leaving the building, which provides limited direct benefits to the animals inside. To solve these problems, researchers in Fayetteville, Arkansas, designed an indoor system with a special sand filter. This filter prevents dust from blocking the nozzles during operation. In tests, the prototype filtered all the air in a standard poultry house every 30 minutes.

Researchers plan to test the technology in commercial chicken farms next. They want to see if the device can also eliminate dust, bird flu viruses, and foodborne bacteria. If successful, the system could improve animal welfare, protect worker health, and increase farm profits. It may also help protect the environment and work well in pig farms in the future.

How could this new air scrubber benefit both farm animals and the environment at the same time?